University of Virginia Library

To he that will.

Thou that this little Book in hand dost take,
Of what thou read'st no false construction make
Be not prejudicate, to carp, or grudge,
And look thou understand before thou judge:
My Muse is Musicall, and runs division,
And holds all Critick Cockscombs in derision.
The wretch, that true Religion doth despise,
Is like the Atheist, that his God denies,
And those that do contemne Religious Rites,
Must look for portions with the hypocrites:
And therefore with all Reverend due respects
To Truth, I have displaid some peevish Sects,
Full of foule errors, poore, and bare of sence,
Yet tending to some dangerous consequence.
'Tis past a Butchers, or a Brewers reach,
To pearch into a Pulpit, or to preach;
A pot, a platter, dripping pan, or spit,
Are for a Ladies Bed-chamber unfit:
Rich Hangings, Curtaines, Carpets, garments gay
Doe not become a Kitchin any way.
A Preachers work is not to gelde a Sowe,
Vnseemly 'tis a Iudge should milke a Cowe:
A Cobler to a Pulpit should not mount,
Nor can an Asse cast up a true account.
A Clowne to sway a Scepter is too base,
And Princes to turne Pedlers were disgrace:
Yet all these, if they not misplaced be,
Are necessary, each in their degree,
If each within their limits be contain'd,
Peace flourisheth, and concord is maintain'd.
The good man Iob describes it plain and right,

Iob 10. 22.

Where order is not, darknesse, and the light
Are both alike, for blindefold Ignorance
Of perfect wisdome hath no glimpse or glance.
But such as 'gainst all order doe rebell,
Let them not doe as did Achitophell,

2 Sam. 17 23.

To set his house in order home went he,
But what became of him, pray reade and see.
Kinde Brethren, I doe wish you better fortune,
And with tongue, pen, and heart, I you importune
To have the patience but to heare, or reade
What kinde of fellowes doe you thus misleade;
I doe inveigh here with impartiall pen
Against no silenc'd, learned Clergy men,
Nor any man that understands me right,
But will approve these lines which here I write:
For let base spight say what it dare or can,
I know, what's writ, offends no honest man.
I write of some, that with tongue, pen and print
Have writ and rail'd, as if the devill were in't.
I could name many of that precious crew,
And for a taste I will recite a few.